Prayers of the Bible - Application for Advent

The prayer of Jesus in John 17 in which He prayed for His disciples (which includes us!), was not written for a specific time period. In reading it recently I discovered some applications very appropriate for the Advent season. 

¹³ “I am coming to you now, but I say these things while I am still in the world, so that they may have the full measure of my joy within them. ¹⁴ I have given them your word and the world has hated them, for they are not of the world any more than I am of the world. ¹⁵ My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. ¹⁶ They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. ¹⁷ Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth. ¹⁸ As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world. ¹⁹ For them I sanctify myself, that they too may be truly sanctified.

²⁰ “My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, ²¹ that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me.

 

Here are some applications. See if you find others that you can share.

These are the prayer requests Jesus had for us:
     1.  to be full of joy
            Do others see joy in me as I go about my holiday preparations?  Why not?  What do I let steal my joy at Christmas? 

     2.  protection from the evil one
What particular temptations is Satan most likely to use on me at this time of the year?  to overspend? to use my time the way the world pressures me to instead of the way that would honor God? 

     3.  to be sanctified (made holy or set apart) by the Word
Are my days so hectic that I don't even have time to read His Word?  How is my celebration of Christmas set apart from the world's ways?

    4.  for our unity
Do our family's holiday celebrations cause friction among us?  Or among other believers who celebrate differently?  What can I specifically do to foster unity and harmony? 

These are good requests for us to pray for one another, too, this season and every season.

God's Object Lessons

Do you like object lessons?  They visualize an abstract idea in a way in which we can better understand and remember the concept.  God often uses situations and things around us as object lessons to teach us truths that the Spirit can then apply to our lives.  Last week was such a time as we spent a couple days in the North Georgia mountains.  Can I share some of them with you? 



I will lift up my eyes to the mountains; From where shall my help come?   Psalm 121:1 

Do I need to lift my eyes from myself to the Creator of the mountains?  Off of the situation that is bringing me fear or worry to the only One that can help me?  Or am I looking to someone or something else for help?  Maybe I am not even willing to admit I need help.





Continuing on with the thought of God being our help is the verse from Psalm 18:2.  The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, My God, my rock, in whom I take refuge; My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.
It is hard to get a perspective from this picture of the size of this rock, but you could hide under this rock.  God is big enough to take refuge under - in ANY storm.

"For he will be like a tree planted by the water, that extends its roots by a stream and will not fear when the heat comes; but its leaves will be green, and it will not be anxious in a year of drought nor cease to yield fruit." Jer. 17:8
How am I preparing for difficult times which we may be facing as a nation?  By putting my roots deep into the life-giving Word or by anxious and fearful thoughts which will yield bitter fruit?

Can you see the water coming out of the rock?  Remember how God brought water out of the rock for Moses and the Israelite people when they were thirsty in the wilderness?  Am I thirsty for God?  Or am I seeking to quench my thirst from the things of the world that will never bring lasting satisfaction?


"He who believes in Me, as the Scripture said, 'From his innermost being will flow rivers of living water.'" John 7:38  Who do I know that needs this "living" (life giving, not stagnant) water? Am I splashing on them so they can see how refreshing it is?

 

 

So that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; and that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God. Eph. 3:17-19  These roots were going everywhere, grabbing anything available to wrap themselves around.  It made me think about what I attach my roots to.  Will they hold me firm?  If I was pulled up by these roots, to what would they be clinging?

True Confessions - Jan's Testimony

                It was with eagerness and anticipation that the TLC blog debuted last Spring, an idea I believe came from the Lord.  And now I know part of the reason why.

      Through trial and error, I fumbled through the layout and the workings of designing a blog (some of which still elude me, however!).  A few comments were posted or verbalized.  Along the way, I discovered there was a way to monitor the number of people who visited the site.  About the same time I read an interview with Ann Voskamp (author of One Thousand Gifts, who also has a blog).   When asked about the number of people who read her blog, she responded that she really didn’t follow the numbers.  The Lord seemed to put the thought in my mind that that was a good idea.  But after awhile, I found myself checking again, rationalizing that it would help me know if the blog was ministering to the ladies, when in reality, it was feeding my pride.  The realization hit me when a friend posted a link on Facebook to an article on Christian blogging.  The author was none other than Ann.  She outlined principles for guiding a blogger.  The first one listed jumped off the page at me – don’t pay attention to the statistics.  She likened it to David taking a census of the people which made him feel good about the size of his army instead of keeping his eyes on the Lord.  The number became a source of pride.  The conviction fell heavy on my heart  followed by confession and repentance.  The other principle that etched itself in my mind is – write for an audience of One.    Write for Him alone with no thought for who else might read it.  He is the only “follower” that matters. 

So where does this leave me?  Again with eagerness and anticipation - but this time for writing for Him alone.  I’ll let you know when there is something new and if any of you want to read it, you are welcome to.  If you don’t, that is fine, too.  By the way, you can ask me if I am checking the stats.  J

           
"A Blogger's Prayer" by Ann Voskamp

May I write not for subscribers...but only for Thy smile.

May my daily affirmation be inn the surety of my atonement, not the size of my audience.

May my identy be in ght innumerable graces of Christ, never, God forbid, the numbers of my comments.

May the only words that matter in my life not be the ones I write on a screen - but he ones I  love with my skin.                          

 

This is my prayer,
Jan

Prayers of the Bible - Habbakuk

This prayer, which is also a song, will be familiar to those of you who heard Pastor Derry preach on Habbakuk 3.  It is so powerful let's ponder it a bit more.  In Habbakuk's "Facetime with God", he reveals the character of God, as well as something about his own character.  He ends with a commitment to praise God despite the difficult days he knows are coming and the fear it invokes in his heart. 

In this chapter, Habbakuk worships God for His splendor, power, glory, strength, mercy, holiness, sovereignty, and eternal ways.  Stop for a few minutes and think about how you have seen each of those attributes recently.  Did you?  I mean really STOP to praise Him, thank Him, worship Him.  Can you see Him?  If not, ask God to open your eyes.  David invites us in Psa 66:5 NASB - Come and see  the works of God, Who is awesome in His deeds toward the sons of men.

And then, Habbakuk reveals some of his own character through this prayer:  trust, submission, and joy.  What do my prayers tell about my character?  Am I walking by faith? by feelings? by circumstances (present or future)?  Do I readily submit to His will or do I follow kicking and screaming?  Does my life give evidence of an inward joy - no matter what is going on around me?

Below are quoted some of the verses in this chapter. Go to your Bible for the rest of the chapter.

Hab. 3:17-19 Though the fig tree should not blossom and there be no fruit on the vines, though the yield of the olive should fail and the fields produce no food, though the flock should be cut off from the fold and there be no cattle in the stalls, yet I will exult in the LORD, I will rejoice in the God of my salvation. The Lord GOD is my strength, and He has made my feet like hinds' feet, and makes me walk on my high places.

Here is my paraphrase of these verses.  You might want to think of your own version to make them personal. 

If the economic forecast does not look improve and there is no bonus at work, if my retirement fund shrivels to nothing and my husband gets laid off from his joy, if my friends move far away and my children leave me out of their lives, I will still be joyful because of what I have in my Almighty Lord and Savior.  He will be my strength whatever may come.

Prayers of the Bible - Hannah

You are all probably familiar with the story of Hannah and her prayer for a child.  Have you ever really studied her prayer for what you can learn for those times when you have a long-standing petition heavy on your heart?  Read her prayer and add your thoughts about what you observe and how you can apply it to your life. 

1Sa 1:10 -18  NASB - She, greatly distressed, prayed to the LORD and wept bitterly. She made a vow and said, "O LORD of hosts, if You will indeed look on the affliction of Your maidservant and remember me, and not forget Your maidservant, but will give Your maidservant a son, then I will give him to the LORD all the days of his life, and a razor shall never come on his head."  Now it came about, as she continued praying before the LORD, that Eli was watching her mouth.   As for Hannah, she was speaking in her heart, only her lips were moving, but her voice was not heard. So Eli thought she was drunk. Then Eli said to her, "How long will you make yourself drunk? Put away your wine from you." But Hannah replied, "No, my lord, I am a woman oppressed in spirit; I have drunk neither wine nor strong drink, but I have poured out my soul before the LORD.  Do not consider your maidservant as a worthless woman, for I have spoken until now out of my great concern and provocation."  Then Eli answered and said, "Go in peace; and may the God of Israel grant your petition that you have asked of Him."  She said, "Let your maidservant find favor in your sight. So the woman went her way and ate, and her face was no longer sad.

Hannah left her burden with God and went away at peace.  Do I leave my burdens with the Lord or do I pick them back up with an anxious heart?

The name Hannah used in making her request was Lord of Hosts which indicates she acknowledged and petitioined a powerful God.  Do I truly believe God has the power to answer my request?  What name (or names) of God correspond to my request?

 To respond click on "comments"  immediately below this text.  Type in the white box.  Then below where you typed, click the little arrow after "Comment as" and select name/URL.  Put your name and IGNORE URL line.  Click on " publish" under your name and you are done.          

Prayers of the Bible

The Bible provides many examples of prayers: some short, some long, joyful ones and ones that are cries for help, prayers made during times of hiding or times of celebration - all given as examples for us to learn how to pray.  Periodically a prayer will be posted here (with a brief background) for you to read, ponder and apply.  Share any lessons you see and/or any ways you could apply those lessons.  A few will be given to get you started.  As we study these examples of prayer, they will affect our Facetime with God.

The psalms of David contain many prayers and are favorites of many.  In Psalm 3, David acknowledges his trust in and deliverance by God's hand when threatened and surrounded by Absolom's army.

Psalm 3 (NASB)

Morning Prayer of Trust in God.

A Psalm of David, when he fled from Absalom his son.

3 O Lord, how my adversaries have increased!
Many are rising up against me.
² Many are saying of my soul,
“There is no deliverance for him in God.” Selah.

³ But You, O Lord, are a shield about me,
My glory, and the One who lifts my head.
⁴ I was crying to the Lord with my voice,
And He answered me from His holy mountain. Selah.
⁵ I lay down and slept;
I awoke, for the Lord sustains me.
⁶ I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people
Who have set themselves against me round about.

⁷ Arise, O Lord; save me, O my God!
For You have smitten all my enemies on the cheek;
You have shattered the teeth of the wicked.
⁸ Salvation belongs to the Lord;
Your blessing be upon Your people! Selah.

 

 

David acknowledges his circumstances but reminds himself of the truth about God. vv. 1-3 (An example of living by faith not sight - or emotions!)  What determines my outlook each day - my circumstances or the truth found in God's Word.

 

David's ability to sleep in this situation demonstrates his complete trust in God.  v. 5  How does my life show that I am trusting God completely?

"Daily Bread"

Jesus answered, "It is written: 'Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes  from the mouth of God.' Matt. 4:4       This is the place for you to share any scripture (or scripture based quotes) that have ministered to you recently.  You may add comments about why or how they were meaningful to you, if you wish.  It is a way to encourage your sisters in their walk with the Lord and point them to the Bread of Life.

Lori's Testimony

Lori Dorman posted this on Facebook 2 days after her diagnosis of breast cancer, June 6, 2012.  She gave permission to post it on our blog.  It is a wonderful tribute to the peace that passes all understanding that God gives His children through His Spirit, His Word, and His people. 

 

Picture courtesy of Lisa Cochran

 First, I just cannot put into words how very loved and blessed I am to have all of you praying for me!!! Thank you CBC (my home church), for Misty Dorman putting me on her prayer chain and Kristy Haney putting me on her church pray...er chain!
Here is the verse God gave me this morning " Yes, and I will continue to rejoice, for I know that through YOUR PRAYERS and the help given by the Spirit of Jesus Christ, what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance. I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always CHRIST will be exalted in my body." Phil 1 18b - 20
Is that now amazing!
Secondly, You may choose not to believe this, but it is true, I have not been plagued with the question "why me God?" about this cancer. I have felt so "held" in my Father's hand and my faith in God being in control of my life, that I have had such peace. I will be honest and tell you that I am afraid of "chemo"--but that dear friends is where you come in with your prayers! I will not know if chemo is necessary until the lab results come in after surgery...and again God says in v. 27 of Phil. "whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Jesus Christ....without being frightened in any way...(v. 28)
This is my prayer that through all of this I can be a flame to light your faith...to help YOU my friends to see and know that God IS REAL and there for you in WHATEVER you might be facing! Phil 1:9 "And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight" --for YOU and ME to draw close to God. I have experienced these past 3 days God's IMMENSE LOVE for me! Oh, how He loves...these are the tears I cry...not from fear, but for this GRACE - I don't deserve. He loves YOU too! That's all I need to say right now, please know I need and value your prayers!

Suggestions, anyone?

This blog is for you - a place to be encouraged and to offer encouragement.  To that end, your suggestions are welcome.  What would you like to see new or different?  What could be improved?

Or if you see a suggestion someone else has made that you like, reply and say so.  The sky's the limit.

Pam's testimony - One Thousand Gifts

Jan asked me to share how the book 1000 Gifts has impacted my life.  That’s something to ponder.  It is sometimes hard to measure one’s own inward change.

Let me begin by sharing how I came to read this book.  My son, Jordan, took his life in March of last year.  At his funeral I became reacquainted with a gal I’d known ten years ago.  Like me, she had recently lost one of her sons to death.  She recommended Ann Voskamp’s blog and told me about the book One Thousand Gifts.

I began reading One Thousand Gifts as an ebook. (It carries along with me wherever I go on my smart phone.)  I quickly discovered that this would be a book I would savor rather than consume.  I read it slowly and still return to it frequently.  It is one of the most treasured books I’ve ever been privileged to read, one that I believe will continue to impact me the rest of my life.

Ann’s book was written as a result of the tragic death of her sister when they both were very young.  This event very negatively influenced Ann’s family as well as Ann as an adult.  In this book, she relates how a simple challenge from a friend to make a list of things for which she is grateful transformed her.

Have I followed the author’s lead and made a list of 1000 Gifts that I am thankful for?  You bet.  And I’m going to keep making these lists because God’s mercies are new every morning.  This giving of thanks to God by record keeping, by naming “Grace Moments”, by specifying “Gifts that I Already Have”, I believe, is transforming me.  

For one thing, my outlook is more hopeful.  Hope.  Now that is a little word of large consequence!  It was my (and my daughter Megan’s) word for the year 2011.  Don’t we all need hope?  After beginning to experience the most enormous loss of my life I needed renewed hope.  Because of Jesus Christ and God’s promises in His Word I had hope, sure hope.  This book came right alongside God’s Word to help make that hope more distinct, more tangible, sort of the way glasses are a tool to clear obscured vision and help us see things as they really are.

Through the encouragement of Ann’s insights regarding the Biblical giving of thanks and through the practice of specifically naming and recording items of which I am thankful to God, my faith is being shored up. I am growing in understanding of what I do have--even in the face of tremendous, temporary loss--and hope is giving birth to joy.

Learning to intentionally give thanks has very positively impacted my daily worship of God.  These lists are a personal testimony of God’s tailored love for me, His goodness.  It sometimes takes my breath when I discover one of God’s priceless gifts right in front of me, lavished on me, just waiting to be accepted from His loving heart.  Pausing to make that list, that takes attention.  I get to give God my full attention.  I get to recognize Him, worship Him.  I get to live life moment by moment aware of His presence.  I get to live life abundantly. 

I have also found this tallying to be a delightful tool for reflection.  It is a personalized history that recounts God’s activity in my life.  Remembering God’s precise goodness encourages me and makes me smile and spurs me onward, especially when I am discouraged.

Not only do I derive pleasure from counting my blessings, but also from reading about others’ blessings.  Here and there, Ann shares from her list of gifts and what she is learning. I find myself celebrating our great God with her.  I would like to share with you a few of God’s gifts to me and then close with a verse of scripture.  I hope you are blessed and reminded that God loves you so very much.

Here goes:

Meal time together with family

Starry sky
Warm sweater hugging me tight
Timeless hydrangea, good for little girls’ bouquets, dried for year-round enjoyment, beauty lavished  on my eyes
Lessons I’m learning from my bus kids
My husband’s companionship
Distant flashes of lightning
Power naps
Eyes, individual, expressive, beautiful, full of life
Henry, the dog, nose pressed close to my bus door
Squirrel friends chasing each other in the morning
Messy, lived-in house
A friend’s encouragement
Talking with Megan
Laughing together
A note with our names in beautiful calligraphy
A friend’s visit
Hearing my child’s heartbeat, hearing them breathe as they sleep
Phone call from Mama
Dazzling frost on my windshield
Daniel, so funny
Christmas lights
Banjos and bagpipes
Moonflower seeds

Ps. 40:5 Many, O Lord my God, are thy wonderful works which thou hast done, and thy thoughts which are to us-ward:  they cannot be reckoned up in order unto thee:  if I would declare and speak of them, they are more than can be numbered.

 

Welcome!

     Congratulations on finding the brand new blog for TLC.  We hope this provides an avenue to connect with sisters in Christ as well as a place to offer and receive encouragement in your daily walk through life.

     To help you find your way around you will find a few instructions and hints here.  Don't be afraid to explore a little on your own if the instructions aren't clear.

 1.  On the right hand side of the page you will find a list of the topics on which something has been posted and commented.  Click on the topic desired.  If you click on May you see "Welcome", for April there is one post, "One Thousand Gifts".
2.  At the bottom of the post you will find a place that lists the number of comments.  Click on that to read the comments related to that post. 
3.  Below that you will find an empty box in which you can add your own comments.  After writing your comment, click on the box "comment as"  and choose the option name/URL.  You do not have to put anything in the URL box.
4.  Now you are ready to click "Publish".  Your entry will not show up right away, and that's because we have set up a screening process to prevent outside hackers from adding inappropriate comments.  To make it the simplest for you, the settings are for each comment to be approved before it is visible on the blog.  So, this setting will to allow you to easily post as well as protect us, not to censor what you write.

If you have any questions you can post them here.  Others may have the same questions.  Time to give it a test drive - either here or on the post for April - One Thousand Gifts.

Have fun, and we pray that you will, more importantly, be blessed.